All dried fruits have a pleasant sweet taste, perfectly satisfy the hunger and contain many useful substances. But today we suggest talking about dried figs, the benefits and harms of which have been known since ancient times. The ancient Egyptians, Romans, and residents of many eastern countries feasted on the fruits of dried figs. This fruit is often mentioned in the Bible, where it is called a fig, and also many interesting legends and traditions are associated with it.

Composition and beneficial properties of dried figs

Dried figs contain beta-carotene and many B vitamins. Also, dried fruits are rich in protein, mineral salts of potassium, magnesium and iron. Also in the fruits of dried figs are fiber, pectins. But why do doctors recommend that their patients consume dried figs? This product has a lot of useful properties. Here is just a small list of diseases that dried by many dried fruits help to cope:

1. Cold treatment. Dried fruits boiled in milk are an excellent cough suppressant. Also, this medicine has diaphoretic and antipyretic properties.
2. Eliminates digestive problems. Traditional medicine recommends eating dried fruits for constipation and gastritis. It is known that figs help the intestines due to their high fiber content.
3. Dried figs are advised to be used by people whose profession is related to mental work. It turns out that micronutrients contained in dried fruits positively affect the brain and help relieve accumulated stress.
4. This useful product has a beneficial effect on the liver and kidneys. The enzymes contained in figs help to quickly remove toxic substances from the body. Dried figs, about the benefits and dangers of which we will tell many more useful facts, have a rich mineral composition. Thanks to this, dried fruits can help a person regain strength after poisoning.
5. Regular use of dry figs has a beneficial effect on heart function. This effect is due to the presence of a large amount of potassium in the product. The lack of this element can lead to disruption of the heart muscle.

The composition of dried figs contains serotonin, which is often called the hormone of happiness. If you are in a bad mood or you feel a breakdown, then eat one or two dried fruits. Just do not forget to go outside and walk for at least half an hour. The fact is that serotonin is released in our body only under the influence of sunlight.

It should be noted that dried fruit is not a cure. In some cases, they really help to cope with ailments, but they can not cure serious diseases.

Dried Figs and Women's Health

In many eastern countries, dried fig fruits were traditionally served for dessert to women. Since ancient times, people have noticed that they help relieve physical malaise during menstruation. Also, the use of dried fruits contributed to the normalization of mental balance during this period.

What is more useful dried figs for women? Modern doctors recommend using it for those who plan to become pregnant or expect a baby. This recommendation is based on the fact that fig fruits contain large amounts of folic acid. This substance helps to maintain the integrity of the placenta and has a beneficial effect on the intrauterine development of the unborn baby.

Modern research has proven that it’s good for women to include dried figs in their second and third trimester of pregnancy in their diet. It turned out that their contractions are easier, and the total labor time is reduced by one hour. In addition, in women giving birth for the first time, disclosure is faster and easier.

Figs for men

There is a common legend that dried fig fruits positively affect potency. But, unfortunately, there are no magic products to get rid of this problem. However, dried figs are as good for men as they are for women. A large number of vitamins and minerals helps maintain health for people of any age and gender.

Figs for children

Pediatricians do not recommend including dried fruits in the menu of children who are under the age of one year. After reaching this age, you can give one dried fruit to a child, but it is better to divide it into small portions. A large number of fast carbohydrates contained in any dried fruit can harm the baby's health. Therefore, if you have such an opportunity, choose fresh ripe fruits for him.

How else does dried figs affect baby health? Benefits for children can be identified by the following points:

1. Dried figs can help with constipation. But if the crushed dried fruits did not bring the expected result, then medications should be used.
2. Use dried fruits to make desserts. The natural sweetness of these products will help to exclude sugar and sweets from the baby’s menu.

What is the danger of dried figs

First of all, remember that dried fruits contain very little water. Because of this, the amount of sugar in the fruit rises to 70%. This fact does not replace the benefits of dried figs for the body, but it should be taken into account for people suffering from certain diseases and overweight.

Healthy people also should not indulge in delicious dried fruits too often. Dried figs, whose caloric content does not exceed 50 kcal per 100 grams, are perfectly absorbed by the body. But the high content of carbohydrates in it should make you think.

Dried figs, the benefits and dangers of which we described in detail in this article, can often be seen on the shelves of Russian stores. Unfortunately, fresh fruits rarely reach us intact and rarely have a presentation. But if you want to replenish your family’s diet with a useful and tasty product, then you can safely buy dried figs.

The benefits and harms of figs in diabetes - video

Foreword

Figs are the fruit of a fig tree. Dried figs, the benefit of which for the human body is a positive effect on the functioning of metabolic processes, is very useful. The fruit grows in the southern continents: Egypt, Turkey, Asia and Africa. It does not withstand long transportation and long storage, therefore it is used mainly in dried form.

As you know, fig fruits are beneficial because they have a large number of nutrients and vitamins, among them: beta-carotene, vitamin C, A, E, B vitamins (B, B1, B2, B6, B12), carbohydrates, sugar, starch, fatty acids, fiber. Dry fruit is a record among all eastern fruits in the composition of minerals: potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, iron. Minerals carry out metabolic processes. Beta-carotene, which figs are rich in, has a positive effect on the human body, providing an immunostimulating and wound healing effect.

B vitamins take part in the work of the brain, bones, skin, and circulatory system, and are necessary for the work of the human body daily.

Figs are widely used in cosmetology. On the basis of fruits, useful face masks are produced that improve the structure and appearance of the skin.

The benefits of dried figs

Nourishing masks based on figs are prepared mainly for weakened and split ends of the hair. Very effective and have the undoubted benefit of ointments for the skin and nails based on the fetus. In cooking, this berry is used to make sweet desserts. The fruit has a lot of sugar in the composition, so it is very high-calorie, 100 grams account for more than 200 calories. Take dried fruit with caution for people with diabetes, suffering from diseases of the pancreas, with gastritis and weight loss.

Fig tree (another name for fig) is useful for the work of all organs and systems of the human body:

• improves bowel function due to fatty acids;
• accelerates metabolic processes in the digestive system;
• positively affects the composition of the blood and the process of blood formation;
• improves liver function and lowers blood cholesterol;
• lowers body temperature with acute respiratory infections and flu;
• it is an antioxidant of powerful action, the benefit is that it interferes with oxidative processes in the human body.

Figs, the beneficial properties of which have been proven, serve as the basis for the production of drugs for the treatment of diseases of the liver, kidneys, cardiovascular diseases and diseases of the circulatory system.

Useful properties of figs

In addition, dried figs have laxative properties. You can cook it yourself at home. How to dry figs?

Methods for making dried figs

1. Fig, dried in an electric dryer. If fresh fruit fell into your hands, it can be dried in a very short time, while retaining its beneficial properties and excellent taste. This will help the electric dryer. First you need to choose the most elastic and slightly immature fruits that do not have mechanical damage. Fruit is washed, twigs are removed, cut in a convenient way and laid out on an electric dryer. Dried from 5 to 8 hours at a temperature of 60 degrees. To prepare dried figs in syrup, pure fruit is covered with sugar, in a proportion of 1 kg. sugar on 400-500 gr. When the fruits give away the juices (after about 6-7 hours), they are laid out on an electric dryer. The syrup is rolled into jars and used to make desserts and other dishes. Figs, under the influence of drying, become hard, therefore it is well suited for the preparation of powders for dishes, shavings, compotes and drinks, but can be taken as food and simply dried. Dry figs should be stored in solid containers: jars, eggplant, boxes, under a tightly closed lid.
2. Oven dried figs. To get the dried fruit at home, you can use the oven. This is a more affordable method than an electric dryer. How to dry figs in the oven? Washed clean fruits are separated from the legs and peeled, cut into 2 parts and laid on a dry baking sheet covered with parchment. The sheet is placed in an oven preheated at 40-50 degrees, lasting 4-5 hours. When the fig becomes golden brown, it can be removed from the stove. Figs are ready to eat. From the dried figs in the oven, wonderful stewed fruit with smack of berry flavor comes out. The drink is incredibly tasty and healthy, you don’t need to put sugar in there, it’s better to add lemon. The taste of dried figs is very high, therefore, it is served in expensive restaurants as an additive to desserts and as a separate dish. How to store dried figs in the oven? Fruits must be placed in well-ventilated vessels: in boxes, in cans, in boxes, wrapped in paper, put in sacks, bags or sacks, except cellophane. It is better to use containers made of natural materials.
3. To get dried figs, it needs to be steamed, that is, to make dried fruit from the fruit. Pure clean fruits from legs and peel, cut in the middle, so that air and temperature fully affect the fruit. You need to wither for a couple at least 2-3 hours, then remove and string on special sticks to allow it to dry. The properties of figs are such that in the process of drying, it increases in its volume several times. The dried fruit has a very sweet and slightly sugary taste, because during the preparation process at a low temperature, it retains its properties to the maximum, which is very useful for both adults and children. What to do to get rid of sugary taste? Professional chefs recommend eating fig tree fruit with hard cheese or with tomatoes. You can add herbs: thyme, mint or lemon balm, which bind and eliminate the sugary taste of the fruit. To store the dried fruit for a long time, you need to string the finished fruit on a stick or bunch. This provides a circulation of air around the fruit and prevents them from deteriorating.
4. Simple dried figs. Washed and peeled fruits, string on a stick or bunch, wrapped with gauze or a thin clean cloth and dried in the sun, in a dry place away from moisture. This is a long-term method of preparing a dried fruit. Sun-dried figs are extremely beneficial for humans. As written in ancient Egyptian manuscripts, in this way, at home, dried figs in antiquity.
5. Dried fig on a string. In order to dry the fruit in a natural way and maintain a high amount of useful properties and substances, you first need to prepare the fig itself: you need to select slightly unripe fruits, as they ripen in a few days on their own. Wash the fruits thoroughly and allow the water to drain, dry slightly on a towel. Then, you need to pick up the threads on which the fruit will be strung. For this, it is best to use threads made from natural materials: cotton, wool or silk. Silk threads are also well suited and very convenient to use for drying. The fruits must be squeezed so that they find a flat shape, and threaded on a thread with a needle, piercing the fruit in the middle. The thread does not need to be loaded. On 1 meter of silk thread, put no more than 20-45 fruits, since the fruit is quite heavy in weight. Hang the finished fruit, strung on a thread, in the place of drying: on the balcony, on the street, under a canopy, in well-ventilated places. Be sure to cover with a thin layer of fabric or gauze, without creating a vacuum and without disrupting the process of air circulation. Dried figs retain their beneficial properties. The dried fig tree fruit retains its beneficial properties and is equivalent to a fresh fruit in the composition of beneficial substances. Dried fruits are used for making compotes, desserts, preserves and jams.

Dried fruits are widely used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver, as well as in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys and adrenal glands, it is recommended to replace sugar with dried or dried figs.

Dried figs  - These are the dried fruits of a fig tree (fig, fig tree), which grows in Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Iran, Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The fig tree loves the warm climate of the subtropics, but does not grow in our latitudes. Its tender, fleshy fruits are not fresh stored for long and do not tolerate transportation well. Therefore, usually immediately after harvesting, they are dried in the sun, getting the very dried figs to which we are accustomed and loved. Many people like it even more fresh, because when dried, the fruit becomes weaker (fresh, it has a sweet and sour taste, sometimes with a significant predominance of acidity).

Externally, dried figs look like light beige flattened fruits of a rounded shape, and in the section it has a viscous flesh and many, many small seeds (see photo). It tastes sweet, but without excessive cloyingness and sometimes with light astringency. Dried figs are easily transported and stored for a long time, so it has become a regular in our store shelves and in the kitchen.

Composition and useful properties

The composition of dried figs is so well balanced that its beneficial properties for the human body became evident in ancient times.

Among fruits, he is considered the champion in the amount of fiber, the content of which in dried fruits is up to 10%. Due to this, as well as the presence of pectin figs normalizes the digestive tract, simultaneously removing toxins and helping to reduce excess weight.

Another important element in the composition of dried figs are polyphenols and flavonoids, which are considered effective antioxidants. They protect cells from free radicals, cleanse blood vessels and prevent premature aging of the body. By the number of polyphenols, dried figs are 50 times higher than most other popular fruits..

It also has many catechins and epicatechins exhibiting antitumor activity. Therefore, dried figs are indicated for cancer prevention.

In addition, the beneficial properties of figs are associated with its rich multivitamin composition. It contains a lot of vitamin C, necessary for strengthening blood vessels and capillaries, B vitamins, which have a beneficial effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems, as well as vitamins A, E, K.

The mineral composition of dried figs is rich and diverse. This fruit is the record holder for potassium and calcium.. Due to the presence of the first, it effectively reduces blood pressure, and the second - strengthens bones and ligaments. And it also has a lot of magnesium and iron.

Eating only a few dried fig fruits regularly, you will saturate the body with useful substances, improve the condition of the heart and blood vessels, strengthen your memory, improve digestion, normalize blood pressure and get rid of fatigue for a long time.

How to choose and store?

How to choose and store dried figs so that it fully displays all its beneficial properties? In order not to be mistaken in this matter, pay attention to the following:

Store dried figs in a cool place with low humidity, otherwise it can become damp and even get pests. It is advisable to transfer the fruits to a completely dry bowl with a tight lid or a cloth bag, and he, in turn, send it to a glass jar. Try to avoid direct exposure to the sun and moisture on the fig, and then he will not lose his valuable qualities for a long time.

Cooking use

The use of dried figs in cooking has been known since ancient times. Its excellent gelling properties have made figs a desirable component of a variety of jams, jams, pastilles. Besides dried figs - a natural preservative, the addition of which in dishes (at the same jam) extends their shelf life in natural conditions.

Dried figs go great with nuts and citrus fruits. If you grind it with walnuts and add a little lemon and orange juice, you get a delicious pasta for desserts (it goes to homemade sweets, cakes, baskets, sweet sandwiches, creams, etc.). Dried figs can also be an independent dessert.

But in the second courses, it is used less often. Sometimes it is added to poultry sauce, which gives it a sweetish flavor and an interesting texture, and sometimes chicken or duck are stuffed with dried figs. Some gourmets serve it with stewed lamb and spicy cheeses.

Dried figs are usually put in milkshakes or fruit smoothies, where it perfectly replaces or complements bananas.

The benefits of dried figs and treatment

The benefits of dried figs to the human body are, without exaggeration, enormous. It is often administered as an additional component in the treatment of many diseases.

Avicenna recommended a decoction of dried figs as antipyretic and diaphoretic for colds and fevers. To prepare it, pour 1 tbsp. l chopped dried fruit with a liter of boiling water and boil over low heat for 10 minutes, then cool, strain and drink half a glass three times a day.

Infusion of 2 tbsp. l chopped figs, filled with 1 liter of boiling water, treat vitiligo and baldness. The fruits are first infused for an hour, and then the liquid is filtered and taken before meals, 100 ml.

Dried fig infusion in milk allows cope with a strong cough  (even with chronic) as well treats tonsillitis, kidney disease, gastritis and whooping cough. Prepare it from 2 tbsp. l chopped figs and a glass of hot milk, which are ground to a state of liquid slurry, and then take 100 g three times a day. If this mixture is additionally boiled, it can be treated externally pustular skin diseases.

From kidney stones and bladder  help to get rid of a decoction of 5 fruits of dried figs, boiled for 5 minutes in 500 ml of water, and then mashed. The resulting slurry should be divided into 3-4 equal portions and eat each between meals.

Harm of dried figs and contraindications

The harm that dried figs can cause to humans is minimal. However, some contraindications to its use still exist.

Since the caloric content of this fruit (249 kcal) and its sugar content (54%) increase when dried, dried figs it is undesirable for obese people. True, figs can also become an assistant in the fight against excess weight, but for this it needs to be soaked overnight in water to activate fiber and remove some sugars, and eat on an empty stomach in the morning. Soaked figs saturate the body with useful substances and dull the feeling of hunger.

Dried figs and with diabetes, as well as gout. True, recently, scientists are inclined to the conclusion that it can even help in the fight against type 2 diabetes, but this is only a hypothesis.

One of the magnificent gifts of mother nature to humanity is fig. Useful properties and contraindications have been studied in sufficient detail and are widely used by folk and official medicine. There are about three hundred kinds of figs. All of them have a therapeutic effect, beneficial properties. Fresh fig fruits are a seasonal fruit; in our country it appears on markets or stores in the fall. Dried is almost always available. It is useful in any form. Its fruits are varied in color: black, brown, red, yellow, green; in shape: from round to pear-shaped.

Most of the figs are harvested in the fall from August to October, when longitudinal cracks appear on the skin of the fruit. Droplets of pure juice begin to stand out from the “eyes” at the top of the fruit and on the surface. The pulp of figs during this period is unusually sweet, as if filled with pure sugar juice, the beneficial properties are maximum.

It is best to clean the figs early in the morning, as the fruits overheated in the sun quickly deteriorate.

Fruits figs stably abundantly - up to 100 kg of fruit in a year. Moreover, the crop is harvested twice - in June, and then in August-November. Most often, the color of the fruit is yellow-green. Unripe figs contain milky juice; it is not edible. But as soon as cracks appear on them, through which the cherry-red juicy pulp shines through, the fruits are ready. One drawback is that they are not ripe for a long time.

Fresh figs - good

Useful properties of figs are a huge content of organic acids, pectins, enzymes, vitamins: A, B 1, B 2, B 3, C, beta-carotene, PP, minerals. Each fruit contains iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium that are beneficial for the body.

40 g of figs contain 7% of our daily requirement for potassium, 6% in calcium and iron. All thought processes occur with the participation of iron. In terms of potassium content, this fruit is second only to nuts.

The drug furolen from the leaves is used in the treatment of baldness, vitiligo, and juice, essential oils inhibit the growth of some fungi, pathogenic bacteria. It promotes the formation of melanin. Fig leaves contain coumarin - a substance that increases the body's sensitivity to solar radiation. Therefore, we must protect ourselves from sunburn during treatment with decoctions of leaves.

Fresh sugar contains 25% of figs. Mostly it is fructose. This is the highest percentage of fructose when compared with other fruits. Fresh fruit protein contains 1%, and dried fruit - 6%.

A few fig fruits per day will quickly relieve mental or physical stress. Regular consumption of this fruit helps to improve memory, reduce sleep disturbances.

Figs are of great benefit to people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system, people with problem veins, with a tendency to brakes, with anemia, asthma, bronchitis, colds, sore throats. It reduces blood sugar, but it is not recommended to consume a lot of it for diabetics or obese people, since all the sugars present in the fruit are easily absorbed by the body. But a few fig fruits eaten during the day, on the contrary, can reduce blood sugar levels, are useful for obese people. Most importantly, the amount of figs eaten should be optimal.

In general, his main value is that he prompts, helps the body choose the right healing property for it at the moment.

Figs are a great digestive aid. He himself will help the body choose the right property of this beneficial fruit. In one case, figs will work as a mild laxative. In another - as a remedy for constipation - eat 4-5 fresh fruits, and if you have only dried fruits - soak them - eat in the morning along with the water in which it has soaked.

But you can not use figs in acute inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The fruits, despite the sweet taste, contain a lot of oxalic acid, so it can not be eaten with gout.

The diuretic and diaphoretic properties of figs are known. Teas, decoctions from fruits are used as an antipyretic, diaphoretic.

Each fruit contains polyphenols, flavonoids, which improve the antioxidant activity of the blood. The medicinal juice of figs contains the enzyme phytin, which almost completely destroys fibrinogen in the blood and fibrin (the insoluble protein that the body uses to coagulate). Filaments of fibrin form the basis of a blood clot, which interferes with the normal flow of blood. For treatment, only 3 drops of juice are extracted from an unripe fetus. It is useful for hemopoiesis or for heart diseases. Based on extracts from the fruits and leaves of figs, some drugs have been created that are successfully used to treat cardiovascular diseases, thrombosis, and thrombophlebitis. It can also improve blood: increase hemoglobin, lower cholesterol.

Useful properties of dried figs

  The dried fruit has a lot of fiber, the beneficial properties of which are necessary for the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Its calorie content is 214 kcal / 100 g. One dried fig gives 2 g of fiber, which is 20% of the daily norm. In terms of its composition and the amount of dietary fiber, it occupies an honorable first place, helping the gastrointestinal tract to function.

Dried figs contain up to 70% of sugar. Interestingly, people who want to lose weight are advised to consume figs daily. However, the high amount of calories it contains can lead to weight gain, especially when consumed with milk. A few pieces are enough to get the recommended amount of nutrient nutrients, so do not overdo it!

Dried figs contain phenol, omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. In addition, beneficial substances that contain fig leaves have a significant effect on the level of triglycerides in the human body, which are one of the main reasons for the development of various heart diseases. These fatty acids are not produced by our body - we must get them with food. They are needed for the cardiovascular and nervous systems to function normally.

Figs - recipes for treatment

A few recipes for traditional medicine:

• Boil three sheets of figs in half a liter of water for 15 minutes. Strain, drink this solution on a regular basis to lower blood pressure.
• Finely chop four leaves of figs, mix with sugar to make a thick mixture. Take this mixture regularly with a glass of water twice a day. This home remedy is a useful addition to the course of treatment for cirrhosis.
• With laryngitis, hoarseness, you need to prepare a syrup, from one teaspoon of chopped dried figs and half a glass of water - boil for 15 minutes, strain, add a teaspoon of honey.
• Add two or three chopped fig fruits to a cup of kefir (200 ml). Use this mixture twice a day for several weeks to reduce spleen inflammation.
• Apply milky juice from stems or leaves three to four times a day on warts - this will help you get rid of them.
• Persons suffering from anemia can eat 2-3 fig fruits soaked overnight in a glass of milk. Eat these fruits with milk in the morning for a month.
• Take one and a half liters of water, add 50 g of dried figs, barley, raisins. Simmer under a lid for about 15 minutes. Then add to the broth 15 g chopped licorice root. Cover, leave to insist overnight. Take a teaspoon. This is an effective home remedy for constipation in children.
• If you have bad breath, just chew a couple of fig leaves, and then rinse your mouth with warm water.

To treat urolithiasis or kidney stones, it is recommended to boil figs in milk. Drinking this milk is useful very hot until the stones disappear.

For the treatment of breast cancer, traditional medicine recommends figs. Its fruits have disinfecting, emollient properties, so traditional medicine often uses them to prepare infusions, which are used as rinses, poultices for colds, abscesses, and inflammation of the mucous membranes. They are especially useful for external use in cancer, as they prevent the development of the disease.

Traditional medicine uses the fruits and leaves of a plant. Fresh figs or its juice is applied to erysipelas every 2 hours. The disease can be cured in 1 day.

Sulfur is a vital element that is found in proteins as sulfur-containing amino acids (cystine, cysteine, methionine), as well as in certain vitamins and hormones. The formation of inulin occurs only with a normal concentration of sulfur in the body. And figs contain a lot of sulfur.

It is useful to take figs to the elderly or weakened people, because regular use of these dried fruits helps to rejuvenate, strengthen the body, and helps restore the body after an illness.

For many centuries, figs have been recommended as a way to correct the body's sexual dysfunctions, such as infertility or erectile dysfunction. His real success as an aphrodisiac is doubtful, but the huge amount of valuable vitamins, minerals that he contains can lead to a sudden increase in sexual energy. Soak 2-3 fig fruits in milk overnight, eat them in the morning to enhance your sexual abilities.

Harmful figs to the body, precautions

• too much eaten figs can cause diarrhea;
• dried fruits due to high sugar content can cause tooth decay;
• in some people, figs can cause an allergic reaction - from mild to severe;
• it is better not to consume it too much a week or two before the operation, because it dilutes the blood, and this can sometimes be the cause of bleeding in people sensitive to it;
• as always, before making major lifestyle decisions, talk with your doctor or healthcare provider.

Figs are a doctor plant. Alexander of Macedon knew about the beneficial properties of figs - tired soldiers just need to eat some dried fruits to restore strength. He also knew that gruel from figs quickly heals wounds, helps with poisoning, heart disease, lungs, stomach, liver.

The beneficial properties of figs are beyond doubt. Fruits contain more iron than apples, and brewed with hot milk are an excellent cough remedy, a good antipyretic, diaphoretic. Of course, there are contraindications, but if you follow the measure, then harm can be avoided.

Fresh and dried figs are widely used in the eastern countries and the Mediterranean, where the people call it "the food of the poor." Figs are a rich source of antioxidants and have many other laxative properties. Dried figs will discuss its benefits and harm to the body and health in this article.

Figs are an unusual food product for many. After all, in our country it is most often possible to see it in the dried form at market and store counters, and few people saw it fresh. Perhaps you can also meet people who do not know what this fruit tastes like and are skeptical of this product, believing that there are not many valuable substances in it. Is it really?

The tree on which the figs grow is called the fig tree or simply figs. It has been familiar since biblical times. In addition to fruits, they use bark, leaves, shoots and seeds of this tree. It belongs to one of the varieties of ficus and many grow it at home.

Dried figs composition

After drying, the fig does not lose its beneficial ingredients and retains them in almost the same volume as fresh. It contains:

Carbohydrates up to 65 percent;

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids;

B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and pyridoxine);

Retinol (Vitamin A);

Catechins (antioxidants replacing vitamin C);

Minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron (in small quantities), calcium, sodium, phosphorus.

In dried fruit, fats are almost completely absent. However, in fresh fruits it is also not there.

But the calorie content of dried figs increases dramatically. If in fresh figs in 100 grams of calories is only 47, then already dried has almost 250. And more precisely, then 247.

The glycemic index also grows and is 40-55 units.

Dried figs beneficial properties

When dried, more than 60 percent of the water is removed from fresh figs. As a result, it turns out to be a more concentrated source of nutrients, fiber, compared to fresh.

100 grams of such figs contain about 3 grams of protein, about 10 grams of fiber and 60 grams of carbohydrates.

The same amount can give the body almost 30 percent of dietary fiber, 14 percent of vitamin K and potassium, 12 percent of calcium and magnesium, 8 percent of iron from the daily needs of an adult.

Dried figs contain both types of dietary fiber. Soluble fiber helps to saturate and maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol. Insoluble fiber ensures proper digestion and intestinal motility.

Potassium in figs helps maintain a balance of fluids and minerals in and around cells and throughout the body, which is important for the normal functioning of nerves, muscles and the heart.

Figs are a good source of readily available energy, as most of it comes from simple sugars.

Natural fructose gives a pleasant taste, helps to cope with a hangover, relieves plaque. The content of natural organic acids improves blood and cell renewal. This property is especially useful for women.

The tannins present in figs have anti-inflammatory properties.

Figs have a calming effect on the nervous system and help to cope with stress, increases endurance and performance. It can be used as a natural antidepressant.

Vegetable protein is well absorbed by the body and does not lead to excess weight.

It is necessary to take into account the high content of vitamins and minerals in it. In case of vitamin deficiency in the spring or after illness, it can quickly replenish the balance of essential substances in the body.

This fruit is considered a good diaphoretic. In addition, dried figs gently reduce heat. For colds, traditional healers advise taking dried fig fruits with warm cough milk. They drink such a decoction for colds and asthma.

Dried figs good for the body

Based on the presented list of chemical components, it can easily be said that figs can bring certain benefits to the human body. Dried figs:

• Improves bowel function;
• Helps to get rid of hypotonic constipation;
• It has a neuroprotective effect on the nervous system;
• Supports maintaining water-salt balance;
• Supports the rhythmic work of the heart muscle;
• Strengthens the skeletal system (including for injuries and fractures);
• Fills cartilaginous tissues with necessary substances like gelatin;
• Treats cough (make fig broth in milk);
• Lowers fever
• Increases hemoglobin level;
• Improves brain activity;
• Promotes the removal of kidney stones;
• Activates enzymatic reactions (for example, the formation of ATP);
• Promotes rapid saturation, that is, satisfying the feeling of hunger;
• Protects against malignant tumors;
• Helps strengthen blood vessels;
• Increases the body's resistance to viruses during epidemics;
• It has a bactericidal effect on conditionally pathogenic intestinal microflora.

How to dry figs

Life forced to dry fresh ripe juicy fig fruits. After all, where it grows and sings, a fairly hot subtropical climate. In addition, fresh figs are not stored for long.

Therefore, to preserve the fruits, they were laid out for drying in the sun. Dried figs change not only their color, but also their shape. From a rounded-oblong it becomes a flattened flat shape.

Today, fruits are dried not only in the sun, but also in special electric ovens at a temperature of no more than 35 degrees in order to accelerate the drying process.

The fact is that dried figs are much easier to transport than fresh ones. Yes, and its shelf life is extended by several months. This is why dried figs are easy to obtain in winter.

Dried figs

Since this dried fruit is often sold in open form and undergoes lengthy transportation to our country, it is, of course, contaminated. Therefore, before use, it must be thoroughly cleaned either with a brush and water, washing each fruit separately, or the required amount of dried fruit is washed in several waters (the water should be warm).

Dried figs are most often eaten as an independent product; culinary specialists add it to various desserts, pastries, fruit yogurts and drinks.

It also goes well with other dried fruits, nuts, honey, whole grain cereals. By mixing these ingredients together and adding lemon juice, you can prepare an energy bar. Also, figs can be found in meat dishes, goes well with cheeses. But in order not to have an adverse effect on the body, you need to use it in moderation, however, like other food products.

Figs harm and contraindications

In some life situations, eating dried (as well as dried) fig tree fruit is not recommended. This applies to the following situations:

Dried figs benefit for women

Dried fruits, which have a concentrated sugar content, always cause multiple fears among those women who want to keep their shape.

But in this case, overseas dried fruit perfectly replaces sweet candy and gives strength due to the presence of proteins and simple sugars.

For office workers (and not only), dried figs will help to cope with stress, balance the psyche, improve mood and ensure quick thinking.

In addition, scientists have proved the fact that the consumption of dry figs by one third reduces the risk of breast cancer.

In cosmetology, this fruit is often part of face masks and hair.

In order not to worry about the "aspen waist", it is advisable to consume no more than three dried fruits per day. It is advisable to eat them in the morning.

Dried figs during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Like fresh fruits, dried figs help pregnant women and women during lactation:

• Increase hemoglobin;
• Prevent developmental pathology in a child;
• Strengthen the skeletal-cartilage system (calcium in pregnant women completely goes to the formation of the skeleton of the unborn child);
• Get rid of constipation;
• Prevent the negative effects of colds;
• Saturate breast milk with all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Dried figs benefit for men

Men should also pay attention to dried wine berries. After all, it is customary to use it in traditional medicine in order to strengthen male strength and combat prostatitis. But there is a strong half of humanity, this dried fruit is only after scalding it with boiling water.
  Dried figs, unlike fresh ones, are more available with us. It has a certain benefit and it can be useful for the human body. And not only with its taste, but also with the useful substances that are in it.